By JONEL ALECCIA
Mail Tribune

A former state social services manager who says she was "worn out" by her high-level job has taken a new post at one of the Rogue Valley’s largest clinics for low-income and Hispanic residents.

Ida Saito, 52, resigned abruptly in October as the state Department of Human Services manager for four Southern Oregon counties. Ongoing state budget woes and system worries prompted her to retire three years earlier than she’d planned, Saito said.

"It was just 27 years of dealing with the same enormous issues," she said. "It’s hard to feel you can influence it."

After formally ending her state career, she was named to a newly formed position as director of operations at La Clinica del Valle Family Health Center in Medford.

"I feel fortunate that I was able to connect with an agency that has such a great mission," said Saito, who began the new job last week.

Saito will be responsible for evaluating patient flow and productivity for La Clinica, where staff and services have expanded exponentially in the past few years, said Brenda Johnson, executive director.

The agency that provides health and dental care to disadvantaged adults and children has grown to include 111 employees, six sites and services for more than 10,200 patients a year, Johnson said.

La Clinica’s 2004 fiscal year revenues were nearly $6.7 million, making it one of the region’s larger nonprofit groups.

Saito’s position carries a salary based on a national average of about $62,000. It’s one of two new posts demanded by growth, Johnson said. A federal grant review and input from board members spurred the agency to expand administration, she said.

"They said, ‘What worked for you when you were 40 employees doesn’t work when you’re more than 100,’ " Johnson noted.

The agency also hired a new human resources director and diverted former deputy director Maria Ramos Underwood to a new development position.

Saito left DHS thinking she’d spend more time with her two grown sons and four grandchildren in Grants Pass. After 24 years running regional welfare programs and another five as a state manager, she was tired.

"I had gotten pretty worn out taking care of four counties," she said.

Still, Saito knew she wanted another challenge.

"I’m too young to stop working and I’m not independently wealthy," she said.

So when Johnson approached her about the position, it seemed a good fit.

"It’s a small enough community that really talented people don’t hide very well," Johnson said. "(Saito) brings such a calm, ethical presence. She really holds integrity very high."

Saito admits that, despite her experience, she has a lot to learn about community medical clinics.

Evaluating an agency that’s not solely dependent on state budget fluctuations will be a relief, said Saito, who’s happy these days to come to work.

"To be in the position to do something new is great," she said. "I’m not quite as tired and burned out as I thought."